North Woods Fishing Report: Late April (Spring)
Fishing in the Northwoods of Wisconsin is still through the ice unless you hit the Wisconsin river south of us. The ice on our area lakes is still in the 20"-30" range depending on what lake you are fishing. There are not a lot of people ice fishing but the people that have chosen to fish are finding it very productive.
As you know our gamefish season is closed until May 7th, so panfish are the target fish at the present time. Rosy Reds, Crappie Minnows, Fatheads, Spikes, and Waxies have been working well for live bait. Chena bait as well as Maki Plastics, Silkie jig Trailers, Ratos, and Cast Masters have been great for Crappies and Panfish.
As for river fishing near Tomahawk Wisconsin, a friend of mine (Jim Menke) caught some really nice Jumbo Perch fishing from shore. Jim was primarily using wax worms and red worms.
Our guide staff member Al Frost has been launching his boat on the Wisconsin as well, near Tomahawk, and has had success catching some nice rod bending size Walleyes. Al usually hooks up on a few large eyes each spring but hasn't caught one over 26" so far. It is legal to fish Walleyes on the Wisconsin River near Tomahawk. Please check the Wisconsin regulation booklet for areas that are open for gamefish so far.
As I mentioned earlier, our Walleye season begins May 7th and we are all excited for the opening of fishing season to get here. Our local weather is going to be the determining factor on how much open water we have by the 7th. In all likelihood the Willow Flowage, and the Rainbow Flowage should have open water. I would think a decent amount of smaller lakes should be open by then as well. The larger lakes in Oneida and Vilas county are going to have to hurry up and melt if there is going to be open water Walleye fishing by May 7th. It could certainly happen but we shall see. In any case please contact us for fishing conditions and what's happening in our local area as we would be happy to help and assist in any way that we can.
I would consider many of our staff members Pro fisherman as they have been fishing and guiding for many years. "If You Don't Know, Ask A Pro" All of us at The Musky Shop would be glad to help in any way that we can.
One last thing to consider, as we hopefully move closer to warmer weather and open water, is to get your guide trips booked before guide calendars potentially fill up. 715-513-7700 https://www.muskyshopguideservice.com/
Please give us a call and Jodie our staff member will get you booked up quickly.
We wish everyone great fishing!
Kind Regards, Jim Stewart